Largest Militaries in North America

By Vince J , views , updated

Categories: World General Americas
Dataset contains 18 data items (see table below).

Overview

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), US military spending in 2019 was $731 billion— more than 2.5 times as much as China's military spending, which was the second highest in 2019 at $261 billion. In fact, the US military spending is larger than the next 10 biggest military spenders combined.

Which country has the largest military force in North America?
The country with the largest military force in North America is United States with a force strength of 2,233,050 personnel. At second and third, are Mexico with a 216,000-strong military and Canada with a military force of 67,400 personnel.
In comparison, the average size of the military forces in North America is around 242,148.9 military personnel.

Compare United States with Belize

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DEFENSE SPENDING

Defense Budget. United States has the highest military budget in North America at US$731,751M . Average size of defense budgets among countries in North America stand at US$58,621.4M.

Percentage of GDP on Defense. United States's defence budget makes up 3.40% of its GDP - the highest in North America. On average, countries in North America spend %1.0 of their GDPs on defense.

FORCE STRUCTURE

Active Forces. United States has the largest active military in North America, with 1,388,100 personnel. Average size of active military forces among countries in North America stand at 103,210.6 personnel.

Reserve Forces. United States has the largest reserve military in North America, with 844,950 personnel. On average, countries in North America maintain a reserve strength of 63,166.1 personnel.

Paramilitary Forces. Cuba has the largest paramilitary force in North America, with 1,146,500 personnel. The average paramilitary force size in North America is 75,772.2 personnel.

Total Military Force Per Capita. Cuba has the highest total military per capita at 110.9 per 1000 in population - the highest in North America. The average total military force per capita for countries in North America is around 10.4 per 1000 in population.

BATTLE EQUIPMENT

Naval Fleet. United States has the largest naval fleet in North America, with 254 vessels. Average size of naval fleet among countries in North America stand at 15.3 vessels.

Submarines. United States has the most submarines in North America at 70 subs. Average size of submarine fleet among countries in North America stand at 4.1 subs.

Air Force. United States has the largest air force at 14,061 planes in North America. Average size of air force among countries in North America stand at 796.7 planes.

Battle Tanks. United States has most number of battle tanks in North America at 8,850 tanks. Average number of tanks among countries in North America stand at 551.8 tanks.

These are the countries in North America with the largest military forces:

United States.

New U.S. Military Power 2020 | The Best Military In The World | How Powerful is USA? (Credit: Youtube/Daily US Military)

United States's defence budget is the highest in the world. United States allocates about 3.40% of its GDP (estimated at US$731,751M) for its defence budget. Its percentage of GDP allocated to defence spending is the highest in North America.

United States has the largest military force in North America. United States has a military that is composed of 1,388,100 active personnel (third-largest in the world) and 844,950 in reserve, totalling 2,233,050 or 6.8 military personnel per 1000 in population.

United States's battle tank force is the largest in North America. On land, United States has a mobile force of 8,850 tanks. For aerial defence, United States has an air force of 14,061 military aircrafts and 3,720 attack helicopters.

United States's naval fleet is the second-largest in the world. United States has a naval fleet of 254 vessels, including 11 aircraft carriers and 70 nuclear submarines. The naval fleet also possesses numerous warships, including 21 frigates, 69 destroyers and 27 corvettes.

Compare United States with Panama

Compare United States with Dominican Republic

Mexico.

Mexican Armed Forces 2018 (Credit: Youtube/The Marine)

Mexico's military force is the third-largest in North America. Mexico has a military that is composed of 216,000 active personnel (second-largest in North America), 81,500 in reserve and 111,900 from paramilitary forces, totalling 409,400 or 3.3 military personnel per 1000 in population.

For aerial defence, Mexico has an air force of 81 military aircrafts and 65 attack helicopters.

Compare Mexico with Panama

Compare Mexico with El Salvador

Canada.

Canadian Armed Forces 2019 (Credit: Youtube/The Marine)

The country with the second-highest defence budget in North America is Canada. Canada allocates about 1.30% of its GDP (estimated at US$22,198M) for its defence budget. Its percentage of GDP allocated to defence spending is the third-highest in North America.

Canada has a military of 107,500 personnel, with 67,400 active (third-largest in North America), 35,600 in reserve and 4,500 from paramilitary forces, making up 3 military personnel per 1000 in population.

Canada has the third-largest battle tank force in North America. On land, Canada has a mobile force of 120 tanks. For aerial defence, Canada has an air force of 95 military aircrafts and 115 attack helicopters.

Canada's naval fleet is the second-largest in North America. Canada has a naval fleet of 16 vessels, including 4 non-nuclear submarines.

Compare Canada with Panama

Compare Canada with Honduras

Guatemala.

The Kaibiles I Special Operations Force Of Guatemalan Army (Credit: Youtube/Defense Daily)

Guatemala has a military that is composed of 18,050 active personnel, 63,850 in reserve and 25,000 from paramilitary forces, totalling 106,900 or 6.4 military personnel per 1000 in population.

For aerial defence, Guatemala has an air force of 9 military aircrafts and 2 attack helicopters.

Compare Guatemala with El Salvador

Compare Guatemala with Honduras

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